BEAR-HUNTING EXTRAORDIKARF. . Ill 



into the bargain, as even their hides were worth nothing. 

 These calumnies were put an end to by the announce- 

 ment, '* Supper is ready." Boxes, chairs, and logs, were 

 placed round the table for seats. Turkey, venison, pork, 

 opossum, maize bread, and the favorite beverage of the 

 backwoodsman, coffee, disappeared so rapidly that soon 

 nothing was left but the bones of the animals, the remem- 

 brance of the bread, and the grounds of the coffee. One 

 after another rose when he had had enough, and then the 

 women-folk, who had wisely kept something for them- 

 selves, took their places. This is one of the customs of the 

 West which always displeased me. The hostess seldom 

 sits down to table with the men, except now and then at 

 tea or coffee. The other custom, that of rising when they 

 had had enough, without regard to those who remained 

 at table, was not so bad. 



After supper the company formed various groups, and 

 the conversation turned on .shooting, pasture grounds, 

 the survey of the land that had recently been accom- 

 plished, and then on religion. Words soon ran high ; 

 for among the company were Methodists, Baptists, Pres- 

 byterians, and unbelievers but all disputes were put an 

 end to by the arrival of two large jugs of whiskey, each 

 containing about four bottles, which Collmar had sent his 

 eldest son, a lad of fifteen, to fetch from a distant store. 

 The boy had been obliged to ride slowly for fear of break- 

 ing the jugs. 



The old bear-shooters were highly amused at the fol- 

 lowing account one of the party gave of a bear-hunt that 

 had occurred in North Carolina, and which gave a sad 

 picture of the low state to which field sports had 



